St Raphael's Church in Portsmouth Road is a unique gem of Victorian architecture.

Its Italianate-Early Renaissance style proudly welcomes visitors to Kingston and equally boasts of Royal weddings as well as the spiritual comfort it offers to thousands of people every year.

You would think that everyone would welcome its restoration. Most people do. I receive donations from Muslims, Hindus, Anglicans even atheists.

But no sooner had the parish launched a £2.5million campaign when one local councillor set out to stop it.

Part of our plan is to sell the old derelict presbytery in Maple Road with planning permission and invest all of the money in St Raphael's.

We intend to build a new community centre with amenities for the disabled and youths.

Everyone can see the benefit - except one man, Councillor Barry O'Mahony, who yet again last Wednesday stood up at the Surbiton sub-committee meeting and opposed the project on the grounds that my two dilapidated houses were worth more in their current state than if the site was developed for flats.

The Lib Dems are a great party, but guys, don't put dear old Barry in charge of finance or property. The Conservatives were always a party who supported the family and local community initiatives - hey guys, have you lost my number? Oh Labour, come to our aid.

FR VINCENT QUINN

Parish priest, St Raphael's Church, Kingston